Sokurov: "Time is Most Effective Element in Film"

Russian acclaimed director and producer Alexander Sokurov headed a masterclass as Part of Cairo Industry Days activities, touching upon different issues related to filmmaking and its important features like time and tools. Also, he shared his influential experience with the audience.

Sokurov started by highlighting the position of arts in his life, expressing that he is not a die-hard person to the cinema, on the other hand, he finds himself more into fine arts and literature.

"Cinema is a newborn art; it is a modern art comparing to fine arts and literature. Fine arts and literature only can affect people's awareness," the artist explained.

"Every time I write a film, I try to add my life experience in arts and literature to the audience in terms of form and content. Every film should be distinguished from the previous one. They should not be the same," Sokurov indicated.

He added, "I have passion for humanitarian arts and literature."

Furthermore, the director narrated his experience with his biggest dream.

"The Russian Folk," he indicated that he dreamed of creating a one-shot film without any editing. The feature of time in the film is essential, time is unstoppable, it is always passing, flooding as a river. The whole film was shot in an hour and a half under challenging conditions such as -20 degrees.

Regarding the concept of making historical films, Sokurov explained that artists should be objective while dealing with historical matters.

He also expressed that nowadays good writers or exceptional themes are few, pointing out the problems of the cinema in the Arab world is lack of good writers.

Moreover, he asserted that American cinema has invaded other countries' cinema and affected them negatively, adding that this generation has no great director or writer as Ernest Hemingway or Leo Tolstoy.

Finally, he talked about the school he directs and his students who he believe in them and aiming to continue his legacy.

This event was the first session of the final 3rd Cairo Industry Days events. It took place on Monday at the Cairo Opera House.

Sokurov is the head of the international jury of the 42nd Cairo International Film Festival.